Looking at getting a new LCD TV. It looks like the new rage is SmartTV, or 3D TV. The price for 3D isn't that different from other non3D TV.

I'm mainly looking at the passive kind, where it uses the colored glasses like movie theater, not the kind with active shutter glasses. Those active kinds are quite a bit more money.

For those that have 3D TV, do you actually use the 3D features? or just a fad you use just once? Also how well does it do the 3D? The movie theater 3D seems to work alright every time I went to see a movie.

The faster processor found in most 3D sets helps with other things too, but the 3D itself seems to be a passing fad. Especially with 4k sets coming out, with the higher resolution the 3D really isn't needed. Very little compelling 3D content anyway.

I have a Samsung 3D led I got last year during black Friday sale. It was a free upgrage due to the tv I wanted being out of stock. I have never used the 3D function and no rental serices that i know of carry any 3D titles. So I would say not worth it unless the store upgrades you to one at no extra cost

There is very little content available for 3D right now, and there probably won't really be. It can be pretty neat though. There might be 150 3D blu-rays or so, and only about 1/2 are worth watching. There was a 3D channel, but I don't think it's active anymore.

That being said, 4K is even worse. There is no 4k content. Most 4k "movies" are really just upscaled 1080p stuff. Not a lot of native 4k stuff out there. Heck, the technology to put it on a disc isn't even finalized yet.

Buying a 4k TV now would be pretty silly. 3D TV would be OK if you have the money and like the novelty and experience of 3D. But don't expect oodles of content either way.

went from a plasma to an LED.... having tuned both tv's with some of the tech forums settings, will NOT be going back to plasma... the LED is superior in my opinion. I have 3d also, its ok to watch some of my sons movies in 3d, but it wouldn't be a deal breaker on my next tv.

I just bought a new TV last week and went in trying to decide between a 3D LED and non-3D. The 3D was cheaper (Sharp Aquos). I realized that I never watch 3D TV, don't watch 3D movies outside of theatres, don't have a 3D Bluray player, etc.

It's a neat feature to have once or twice, but it's not something you'll use very often.

Then how come every time I go to the stores, side by side the LED's blow away the plasmas?

Probably because your in a store.

Yeah, go on.....

They setup the lcd's to look better than the plasma's. Bright store, so they jack up the brightness on the tv's (may also use the "vivid" picture mode/setting). LCD's are brighter than plasma's, so the willl look better in that scenario.

They setup the lcd's to look better than the plasma's. Bright store, so they jack up the brightness on the tv's (may also use the "vivid" picture mode/setting). LCD's are brighter than plasma's, so the willl look better in that scenario.

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Originally Posted By 501st:

Originally Posted By wolfstar:

Originally Posted By woofum:

Originally Posted By wolfstar:

Originally Posted By maleante:3d is a gimmick.

Plasma TV's >>> LED.

Then how come every time I go to the stores, side by side the LED's blow away the plasmas?

Probably because your in a store.

Yeah, go on.....

They setup the lcd's to look better than the plasma's. Bright store, so they jack up the brightness on the tv's (may also use the "vivid" picture mode/setting). LCD's are brighter than plasma's, so the willl look better in that scenario.

I have a LED and a Plasma at home. LED is way better. The picture is like real life.

They setup the lcd's to look better than the plasma's. Bright store, so they jack up the brightness on the tv's (may also use the "vivid" picture mode/setting). LCD's are brighter than plasma's, so the willl look better in that scenario.

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Originally Posted By 501st:

Originally Posted By wolfstar:

Originally Posted By woofum:

Originally Posted By wolfstar:

Originally Posted By maleante:3d is a gimmick.

Plasma TV's >>> LED.

Then how come every time I go to the stores, side by side the LED's blow away the plasmas?

Probably because your in a store.

Yeah, go on.....

They setup the lcd's to look better than the plasma's. Bright store, so they jack up the brightness on the tv's (may also use the "vivid" picture mode/setting). LCD's are brighter than plasma's, so the willl look better in that scenario.

I'm trying to not sound snobby but anyone who thinks that a typical LED TV in a big box store looks better than a plasma is obviously not a videophile...

LCD/LED looks phony, plasma looks real!

Courage is not the lack of fear. It is acting in spite of it.~Mark Twain~

Bought a 3d LG LED that came with six sets of passive glasses. Original 3d Bluray material looks awesome, but the converted material not so good. When I take the kids to a 3d movie at the theater, we keep the glasses, especially the kid size ones as they work really well. We've watched a few 3d movies with no ill effect. I buy all the Pixar 3d movie disc packages mainly to use the DVD in our minivan and keep the others inside. I did not even entertain the idea of active shutter glasses as my boys love destroying shit.

Vizio also uses passive, i think.

If you want to kick the tiger in his ass you'd better have a plan for dealing with his teethTaters is taters. It ain't gourmet, but it'll make a turd.

They setup the lcd's to look better than the plasma's. Bright store, so they jack up the brightness on the tv's (may also use the "vivid" picture mode/setting). LCD's are brighter than plasma's, so the willl look better in that scenario.

I'm trying to not sound snobby but anyone who thinks that a typical LED TV in a big box store looks better than a plasma is obviously not a videophile...

LCD/LED looks phony, plasma looks real!

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Granted plasma does look good, BUT they put off a lot of heat. After awhile, my LED looks really good with any HD material. If i watched it beside a plasma, I might notice a difference, but LED is very capable. What gives it the artificial look is the refresh. Mine is set at 60 hz (more natural for movies), but is capable of 120hz which is real good for TV/cable material.

If you want to kick the tiger in his ass you'd better have a plan for dealing with his teethTaters is taters. It ain't gourmet, but it'll make a turd.

Granted plasma does look good, BUT they put off a lot of heat. After awhile, my LED looks really good with any HD material. If i watched it beside a plasma, I might notice a difference, but LED is very capable. What gives it the artificial look is the refresh. Mine is set at 60 hz (more natural for movies), but is capable of 120hz which is real good for TV/cable material.

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Originally Posted By Sgt_Fish:

They setup the lcd's to look better than the plasma's. Bright store, so they jack up the brightness on the tv's (may also use the "vivid" picture mode/setting). LCD's are brighter than plasma's, so the willl look better in that scenario.

I'm trying to not sound snobby but anyone who thinks that a typical LED TV in a big box store looks better than a plasma is obviously not a videophile...

LCD/LED looks phony, plasma looks real!

Granted plasma does look good, BUT they put off a lot of heat. After awhile, my LED looks really good with any HD material. If i watched it beside a plasma, I might notice a difference, but LED is very capable. What gives it the artificial look is the refresh. Mine is set at 60 hz (more natural for movies), but is capable of 120hz which is real good for TV/cable material.

I don't know why people still say this...
Maybe in the old days of plasma but I have two plasma sets, a 58" and a 50" I don't notice any appreciable heat coming off them....

Courage is not the lack of fear. It is acting in spite of it.~Mark Twain~

we picked up an lG 3D LCD 42in for $1100 two years ago. It uses the same glasses that the movies use (Passive?). I wouldn't want the glasses that are powered (Active?) as they are expensive and not easy to come by! Plus I did not notice any benefit in picture clarity.

we run a PS3 as our 3D receiver.

The only downside is the current cost of 3D movies ($30+), although we have found some deals in the sub $15 level.

I highly recommend 3D! Especially if you view DVD's regularly.

its unbelievable!

ETA/ Our Plasma took a dump about 1.5 years from new. It sucked ass, and was the biggest mistake we ever made in electronics. LCD is the way to go! Doesn't generate near the heat plasma did.

I don't know why people still say this...
Maybe in the old days of plasma but I have two plasma sets, a 58" and a 50" I don't notice any appreciable heat coming off them....

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Originally Posted By AZ_Sky:

Originally Posted By Sgt_Fish:

They setup the lcd's to look better than the plasma's. Bright store, so they jack up the brightness on the tv's (may also use the "vivid" picture mode/setting). LCD's are brighter than plasma's, so the willl look better in that scenario.

I'm trying to not sound snobby but anyone who thinks that a typical LED TV in a big box store looks better than a plasma is obviously not a videophile...

LCD/LED looks phony, plasma looks real!

Granted plasma does look good, BUT they put off a lot of heat. After awhile, my LED looks really good with any HD material. If i watched it beside a plasma, I might notice a difference, but LED is very capable. What gives it the artificial look is the refresh. Mine is set at 60 hz (more natural for movies), but is capable of 120hz which is real good for TV/cable material.

I don't know why people still say this...
Maybe in the old days of plasma but I have two plasma sets, a 58" and a 50" I don't notice any appreciable heat coming off them....

Nope, my late father had a 58" Panasonic and 42" panasonic bought within last 4-5 years. The heat is very noticeable after a lengthy viewing period.
In south Ga, we don't need the extra heat!!

If you want to kick the tiger in his ass you'd better have a plan for dealing with his teethTaters is taters. It ain't gourmet, but it'll make a turd.

I'm trying to not sound snobby but anyone who thinks that a typical LED TV in a big box store looks better than a plasma is obviously not a videophile...

LCD/LED looks phony, plasma looks real!

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I think you sound like a photographer in 2001 that claims digital cameras will never come close to the picture quality of film.
And I didn't say Typical LED TV.. But there are better LED TV's than plasma TVs.

"It's like, 'how much more black could this be?' and the answer is 'None. None more black."

I think you sound like a photographer in 2001 that claims digital cameras will never come close to the picture quality of film.
And I didn't say Typical LED TV.. But there are better LED TV's than plasma TVs.

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Originally Posted By wolfstar:

Originally Posted By AZ_Sky:

I'm trying to not sound snobby but anyone who thinks that a typical LED TV in a big box store looks better than a plasma is obviously not a videophile...

LCD/LED looks phony, plasma looks real!

I think you sound like a photographer in 2001 that claims digital cameras will never come close to the picture quality of film.
And I didn't say Typical LED TV.. But there are better LED TV's than plasma TVs.

Yes but in large screens they are un-afordable to the normal man compared to a lower priced plasma....

Courage is not the lack of fear. It is acting in spite of it.~Mark Twain~

The price of the 3d tv's has dropped alot. The content is kind of limited, but it's amazing to watch. I've had both passive and active. Active is the way to go. The gf just bought a samsung smart 3d tv. The picture is amazing, and the active 3d looks fantastic from any angle.

The problem with the passive 3d is two-fold. You lose half of the resolution because every other line of pixels is for one eye. So half of the tv's resolution is given to one eye. It still looks pretty good, but not as crisp as the active 3d. The other problem is that you really have to be in a "sweet spot" to get the best effect. We have a small living room and it's hard to get in that spot, especially more than one person. With the active 3d I can walk around the room and still see the 3d effect. After a couple days of having the active I would never go back to the passive.

I had read that the active glasses were harder on the eyes, but I've had the opposite experience. The polarization of the passive glasses made my eyes feel weird, the active glasses really don't. The active glasses have gotten cheaper and more lightweight too. The ones that came with our samsung run about $20 a pair for additional glasses.

I think you sound like a photographer in 2001 that claims digital cameras will never come close to the picture quality of film.
And I didn't say Typical LED TV.. But there are better LED TV's than plasma TVs.

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Originally Posted By wolfstar:

Originally Posted By AZ_Sky:

I'm trying to not sound snobby but anyone who thinks that a typical LED TV in a big box store looks better than a plasma is obviously not a videophile...

LCD/LED looks phony, plasma looks real!

I think you sound like a photographer in 2001 that claims digital cameras will never come close to the picture quality of film.
And I didn't say Typical LED TV.. But there are better LED TV's than plasma TVs.

My new samsung smart led looks way better than my samsung plasma did. Less pixelated looking. It has micro dimming too which gives it amazing contrast.